At 309pm we were dispatched for smoke in the structure at Nulton Diagnostic in the College Park Plaza. While enroute, a 2nd call stated that they heard a long bang then then had an odor of smoke in the hallway. Truck 3-1, Tower 3-1 and Engine 3-1 responded with 9. …

3 Chief was contacted by phone by a cook at the Nectar Lounge on Scalp Avenue indicating a possible light ballast malfunctioning. He indicated that maintenance felt it was a light ballast and had many of the fixtures opened up but could not locate the faulty one. He also stated…

At 539pm units were dispatched to Coldren Street for a kitchen fire as a result of a lightning strike. A neighboring department Chief was on scene reporting that there was no fire and requesting FD units cancel. 3 Assistant had units continue in to further investigate. A FF from our…

At 7pm we were dispatched to assist Somerset station 605, Boswell, with a structure fire. Truck 3-1 with staffing of 6 and Rescue 3-1 with 7 responded as well as 3 Chief and 3 Assistant. Initial reports were that a porch was on fire as a result of a turkey…

We were dispatched to assest Windber FD with a smoke in the structure at Windber Medical Center. Car 3-1, Truck 3-1 and Rescue 3-1 responded with a total staffing of 11 and stood-by on Greham Ave. Truck 3-1 was then moved up to check a roof top HVAC unit…

Units were dispatched for a small outside fire in the mine area of mine 37. Somerset Command 616 notified Car 3-1 after responding that he was on Cottage lane looking at the fire which was on the side of the bony piles of mine 37. 3 Asst. entered the wooded…

At 437am we were dispatched for an industrial gas alarm at Galliker Dairy. The Chief, Deputy, Assistant, Truck 3-1, Rescue 3-1 and Engine 3-1 responded with a total staffing of 12. While enroute an update was received reporting an alarm showing a Phase 3 active ammonia detector. 3 Deputy arrived…

At 1059am we were dispatched to a 3 vehicle accident at the intersection of Scalp Avenue and the Rt 219N onramp. Engine 3-1 responded with staffing of 3 and found the 219N ramp at Scalp Ave blocked. Rescue 3-1 responded with 3 but was cancelled prior to arriving on scene. …

At 823am we were dispatched for a fire alarm at the Hampton Inn. As usual, the management, who in the case of all hotels, is extensively trained in firefighting procedures, reset the alarm prior to our arrival. Upon the arrival of Eng 3-1 with a staffing 4, was told that…

Here is one for your Monday motivation. Which do you prefer? While the difference between the needles may not seem significant now, it will come back to haunt you when you need the extra air. Rig checks are completed every day at the RTFD to ensure our equipment functions properly, and most importantly, our cylinders are FULL. In order for us to be any help to our residents, we must first make sure we help ourselves. Remember, almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades - NOT firefighting.Which one would you take. The one on the left at 4500, or the one on the right at 4000. Many fire departments I've been to, or firefighters I have talked to all have a similar guideline when it comes to checking SCBA's and bottles. If it's between 4000-4500 it is good to be in service. What is everybody's opinions? What is your departments guideline?

I have made it a point, every morning I come in for a shift, to check my SCBA completely, and if it is not at 4500 I swap it out for one that is. That 500 PSI could be the last few breaths you need to get out of a building, or to help pull a victim or a fellow brother out. Take that extra minute now to possibly save a life later.